CHIEF Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said that the modern metro bus system has given a new identity to Lahore while speedy, comfortable and economical transport facilities have become available to the masses. He said that after thumping success of metro bus system in the provincial metropolis, a similar project will soon be started in Rawalpindi.

He was presiding over a high-level meeting which reviewed the proposed project of metro bus service for Rawalpindi. Chairman Lahore Transport Company Khawaja Ahmed Hasaan, Chairman Planning & Development, Secretary Transport, DG LDA and the authorities concerned were present on the occasion.

Addressing the meeting, Shahbaz Sharif said Punjab government had introduced a new transport culture in the provincial metropolis through metro bus system. He said metro bus project had been welcomed by the masses as well as appreciated at the international level. He said more than 160,000 passengers were travelling by metro buses daily and in view of the growing popularity of the project, its scope was being expanded. He said national resources were a trust of the nation and being utilised only for the welfare of the masses and metro bus system was a good example in this regard. He said foundation stone of metro bus project in Rawalpindi would soon be laid and this project would also be unique with regard to its architectural design and transparency.

Excise & Taxation: Shahbaz Sharif presided over a high-level meeting here Thursday to review the matters relating to Excise & Taxation Department. Addressing the meeting, the chief minister said the provision of best services to the masses was the government’s mission and capacity building of the department was being made for this purpose. He said the efficiency and service delivery system of various government departments was being improved through the promotion of information technology. He said the services of Excise & Taxation Department would be computerised. He directed that the Excise Department should complete the system of computerisation of property tax, token tax and other taxes at the earliest. He said corruption was a big hurdle in national development and the targets of progress and prosperity could not be achieved without the eradication of this menace. He said the Punjab government had promoted corruption-free culture in the province and measures had been adopted for purging the government departments of corruption. He warned that there was no room for corrupt officers and staff in the Excise & Taxation Department. He said the computerisation of the services of Excise & Taxation Department would help in dealing with all the issues in a transparent manner. He directed the tax recovery system be further improved.

MPs: Assembly members of different districts met Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif here Thursday and apprised him of the development problems of their respective areas.

Talking to the parliamentarians, the chief minister said the culture of good governance, merit, austerity and transparency had been promoted in the province and every penny of the public resources was being spent on the welfare of the masses in a highly transparent manner. He said the PML-N government was striving for the elimination of corruption, ignorance, poverty, unemployment and resolving energy crisis and its efforts would bear fruit and the nation would be rid of such problems. He said new hospitals had been set up in the province while new medical colleges had been established for the promotion of medical education. He said implementation of price control mechanism on the permanent basis would be ensured. He directed that cabinet committee, public representatives and administrative and police officers to continue to pay regular visits to markets and play their effective role in monitoring the prices. He stressed on the elected representatives to promote contacts with the masses and spare no effort in resolving their problems. Those who met the chief minister included Syed Muhammad Ashiq, Ch Iqbal and Aamir Hayat Hiraj.